Timing mechanism



NOV- 25, 1952 w. P. GALLAGHER ETAL 2,619,558

TIMING MECHANISM Filed oct. e. 1947 INVENTORS. P6" Caf! Weber; A

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 25, 1952 med oct e, 1947 N0V- 25, 1952 w. P. GLLAGHER ET AL 2,619,558

TIMING MECHANISM Filed v00%,. 6, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 `N0 25, 1952 w. P. GALLAGHER ETAL 2,619,558

' TIMING MECHANISM IFired t. e, 1947 4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented Nov. 25, 1952 vUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE vTIMING; MECHANISM William P.'r Gallagherand Carl Weber, Chicago,

Ill., assignors -to InternationalRegister Company, VChicagmlll., a corporation of Illinois Application :October 6, 1947, Serial No. 778,104

(Cl. ZOO-38) V19 Claims. f 1

`The present invention relates lto 'timing mechanismsysuch as time Switches, interval timers, and the like. `More'particulariy, themain eatures `of the linvention pertain tothat type of timing mechan'ism which can be re-set so as to 'cause `one'or more desired operations to occur at acertain pre-'selected Ahour or Ihours 'of the `dayor night. For example,l the' deviceA might vbe'employed to openv or closean electrical-'switch at'a predetermined time or times of the day or night, or to openy 'or close a valveat a predeterminedhour of the-day or night. In lthe exemplary embodiment herein disclosed we have shown the -invention in "theiform `of an automatic time switch for electric stoves, electric 4ovens andthe like, whereby the housewifecan'set the rtime switch to"automatical1y startand'stop acooking operation at predetermined hours,"or can set'the deviceto' resultin a cooking operation of predetermined duration'and to lhave this operationstop at a, preselected time.

The timing A'mechanisrn herendisclosed is `an improvement upon the'automatic timing mechanism constituting lthe-subject matter 'of our copend-ing application, Serial No. 643,599, filed Januaryz, 1946. The timingmechanismof the present application is also similar in many respects to thev automatic timing mechanisms disclosed' inthe prior 'patents 'oi William `P. Gallagher and Alfred W. Gardes, No. v2,302,625-and No. 2,301,942,1:oth issued-November 17, 1942.

"One nf the'features of the timing'mechanism disclosed inthe present applicationis the greater accuracy oftiming inthe automatic operation of the device. 'lhatiste-say,r theautomatic closing of Vthe' 'switch 'to'start the cooking operationand thell automatic openingfof'the switch-to stop the cooking operation are -more accurately related to the start-cooking and stopcooking times .t-'hichare actually setup-*onY the automatic timer. inv vsonievof lthe automatic timers of the prior art theremayi be errorsas'large as a quarter-hour orhalf-hou-r, either-inthe closing of the switch orf-intl'ie` opening of the switch, or both, and if theFparti'cul'arl cooking operation taking place at that -ltime happens lto be onefof normally short duration 'such error'or .errors may result in a faulty fcooking operation, .particularly if such eri-orshappen to be cumulative. In the construction 'hereindisclosem Vthe timingaccuracy of the deviceisapproximately as accurate or` possibly moreaccurate than the 'human element in the settingrof the device, i. e., the timer lperforrusjust aboutfasaccurately -asffa human being can set theindicating elements on vthe timer. This greater accuracy of automatic Voperation is obtained largely through the-use-of an improved accelerating type of motion transmitting mechanism operative between the time driven Aparts and the switch tripping parts. The time driven parts or mechanisms 4have an extremelyslow rate of rotation, such, for example, as yone revolution in twelve hours,'which slow rate of rotation makes it diiiicult to obtain relatively accurate tripping time for tripping the electric switch to start and stop the cooking operation lat the pre-selected times. `However, our improved accelerating type of motion transmitting mechanism transmitsa sufiiciently accelerated motion from the time drivenfparts to theswitch tripping parts, sothat a muchv greater degree of timing accuracy can be obtained. In its preferred embodiment, this accelerating type of lmotion transmitting 'mechanism comprises a planetary gear arrangement whereina planetary'pinion normally has a planetary idling motion around Vthe perimeter of' a normally stationary gear. This planetary idling motion causes the planetary Apinion Vto have a rotary motion around its own axis in one direction. At the'pre-selected time of tripping, a rotary motion is imparted to this planetary'pinion to cause -it to yrotate in the opposite direction around its' ownaxis, whereby anaccelerated motion is transmitted from the planetary pinion to the normally stationary centralgear, which'latter gear then actuates the switch tripping parts. Thisimproved construction of motionl transmitting mechanism affords greater Afacility andk simplicityv ofassembly of the timer. More'parti'cularly, this improved construction minimizes Yor eliminates vthe possibility' of faulty operation or inaccurate tim-ing arising because of assembly variations occurring between one unit andthe next inthe assembling operations.

VAnother feature of our Vimproved timer herein disclosed is the safeguarding of the .timer against mistakes-made by the housewife in the setting of: the timer, particularly mistakes which might leave thetimer inV closed circuit position indenitelyl or for a time interval beyond thef'automatic vcontrol of the timer. In the absence of this safeguarding feature, such mistakes by the' it is 4:15 oclock in the afternoon, and the housewife either carelessly or without observing the clock sets the timer for a two-hour cooking interval to be completed at 6:00 p. m. Since there is not sufficient time for a two-hour cooking interval between 4:15 and 6:00 p. m., the timer may malfunction with regard to the switch closing or switch opening operation. What usually happens is that the manually set tripping pin which normally functions to start the cooking operation is overtraveled or passed by in this faulty setting operation performed by the housewife, so that this start-cooking pin is no longer in a position where it can perform a switch controlling function. Hence, the second manually set tripping pin, which normally functions to stop the cooking operation, is the only pin remaining to perform a switch controlling operation; and if this pin is incapable of distinguishing between a switch closing operation and a switch opening operation, or is not correlated to a switch opening operation, it will perform whatever switch operation is next in sequence. In the normal cycle of the timer when the housewife places the timer under automatic control, the switch closing operation is the next switch operation in sequence. Therefore, this stop-cooking pin, in not being correlated to a switch opening operation, actually performs a start-cooking operation. Inasmuch as there is no other tripping pin or other automatic instrumentality beyond this stop-cooking pin for controlling switeh operation, then there is nothing which will automatically stop the cooking operation at the end of the pre-selected two-hour interval. continues indefinitely or until the housewife shuts off the range manually. The improved safeguarding feature of our present invention resides in establishing a positive correlation between the second or stop-cooking pin and the stop-cooking operation, so that whenever this latter pin performs a switch controlling function, it will always result in the switch moving to its open circuit position irrespective of whether or not there has been any switch controlling function performed by the first or start-cooking pin.

Another feature of the invention resides in an improved and simplified form of manually actuated start-cooking control. This control enables the housewife to start the cooking operation immediately by performing a very simple manual control operation, while still leaving the stopcooking operation subject to pre-selected automatic time control. For example, the housewife may desire to have the cooking operation start immediately and to stop automatically at a predetermined hour of the day, such as 6:00 p. m. For this type of operation she would set the stopcooking dial at the 6:00 p. m. marking of the clock dial and would then perform the manually actuated, start-cooking control which starts the cooking operation immediately. The housewife performs this manually actuated start-cooking operation by rotating the setting knob or lever to the set position and then merely tilting this setting knob slightly to one side. This sidewise tilting of the knob performs the first switch tripping operation immediately, so that the cooking operation begins at once, but the timer still remains subject to the automatic control of the second tripping operation, which has been pre-set to stop the cooking operation a predetermined hour of the day.

This manually actuated start-cooking control extends the utility of the timer and simplifies The result is that the cooking operation Q the procedure when the housewife desires to have the cooking operation start immediately.

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description of one preferred embodiment thereof. In the -accompanying drawings illustrating such embodiment:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of our improved timer;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view through the axis of the clock dial, minute and hour hands and rotative assembly, corresponding to a section taken approximately on the plane of the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken on a plane at right angles to Figure 2, corresponding to a section approximately on the plane of the line 3 3 of Figure 2;

Figures 4 and 5 are similar detailed plan views showing in two different positions of operation the motion transmitting release mechanism which responds to the setting of the manually-settable trip pins to trip the switch actuating shaft;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail view illustrating the slidable releasing motion of the swinging stop plate.

Figure 7 is a sectional View taken approximately on the plane of the line 1-1 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a detail plan view of the switch operating cam; and

AFigure 9 is a detail plan view, on a smaller scale, of one form of switch which We may use.

Many of the details of the automatic timer herein disclosed are similar to or identical with details disclosed in our aforementioned copending application, Serial No. 643,599, filed January 26, 1946, and attention is directed thereto for these similar details.

Figure 1 illustrates the automatic timer as viewed from the front of the electric range, the clock face being disposed substantially vertically so that it is readily visible from the front of the range. The mechanism is enclosed Within a rectangular main housing I5, from the front of which extends a small rectangular supplemental cover or housing I6. Formed centrally of the supplemental cover I6 is a depressed circular opening l1 behind which is set the cover glass I8 (Figure 2) constituting the transparent front of the clock dial. The supplemental cover I6 is detachably secured to the main housing I5 by readily releasable attachment posts which are disclosed in our aforementioned copending application. This readily releasable mounting enables the cover I6 to be readily snapped off the main housing I5 to replace a broken cover glass I S, and then snapped back into place again. The cover glass may be rectangular or circular as desired, and it is held against sidewise shifting movement by a plurality of lugs I8a which are punched forwardly from the front Wall of the main housing. The hour hand 2l and minute hand 22 rotate behind this glass I8 and cooperate with the clock dial numerals 23. The numerals 23 are shown as being marked on the outer surface of the supplemental housing I6, but it will be understood that they might also be marked upon a dial card disposed in back of the `cover glass I3. As shown in Figure 2, the main housing I 5 is formed with a forwardly extending circular flange Zfi which aligns with the rearwardly extending circular-flange I7 projecting inwardly from the supplemental housing I 6, and the cover glass I8 is confined between these two matching circular flanges I? and 24. The minute hand housing'i-Zis inv the 'form of ashaft l33 which has yits r'earfend'proje'cting rearwardly from the hous- -`-ing j2t lfor yPrn'ounting a rear drivegear' 34,' @this V"shatfalso- 'having its' 'iront-endl projecting Afor- 'Wardly'throu'g'h -ahole -3- in the -mounting plate 3 2f-forl`mounting a front driving gear 35;4 these two gears rotating Yat 'the same '-speed. rThe front driving geaif'f' can-'passireely through the lhole 30,15whichenablesthe electric motor-assembly to A'lIJerea-dily removed from thetimer as a unit by `si`mply *removing'fthe mountings'crews'ti, vthis motor'assembly"including'the electric motor 21, 'geari housingfshaft 33' and back and front 4gears-'34l and`35, all'fbeing'removable as a unit.

'Ihis1canbereadily'accomplished by merely remov-ing the"-back housingV plate d and then re- `leasi'i'ig#"the scre\vs"f3l', from which itf'vvill -be seen 4fthatthe''ni'ot`oruni-t 'can be veryieasily substituted if Avits 'operation becomes faulty.

` The-rear'fgearfSfof 'the motor-assembly' meshes "directly With-'a gear aiwhich iss'e'cured'to the `innerendof the'niinute hand'fspii'idle 25,'Whereby l'the vminute hand"is"driven atv a'rate to makev one --completercwoluti'on every hour. The 'front driving gear 35 meshes with a nrstidlergear'38which 'in turn' mesheswith a* second idler gear'SB'; and `the'la'tter transmits rotation to' a relatively large spurw'vheeror time wheel 41 which is 'secured to' the hour hand sleever l25, the Vratio of 'the'gears T35", 38, 39and 4i being-such vas `to rotate the time wheel'l and hour-hand 2| 'through one-complete "revolution` every 'twelve hours. The minute hand spindle 25 'rotateswithin a'I stationary4 mounting Sleeve "42, Vand the hour 'hand spindle rotates varound the-outside of this mounting sleeve. 'Said 'mountingsleeve is formed with a staking collar Aor `vange'iSwliich'is adapted to'be pinned-or 'staked toithe"front"sideoftheframe plate 32, the" rear portion'of this mounting sleeveextending through theplatey 32 to' provide" along length 'of bearing 'support'ior the minute `hand. spindle. 'The' front "endotheminute hand spindle extends' outward- '1y through' a'central'aperture 44 in thec'overgl'ass 18, and"has"secured thereto an adjusting knob '45 Whichienables the clockV 'hands to'be set by rotatinge'the'min'ute hand 'spindle through' theinst'ru- 'mentality "of Vthelmolr. The' knob' i5v can be rotated'ineither 'direction for 'manually 'setting 'the clock' hands' in either' direction', 'suchmanual setting'being' accommodated by a friction slippage clutch or'the. like, which is preferably'embodied directly within the speed reducing 'gear housing '2 8Y for" enabling' 'thel` gears 34,' 35' to 'be' manually rotated' forwardly or' backwardly 'independently of the rotation'of'the'rotor of'motor'Z'I.

Referringto'Figure 2, the continuously rotat- 'ing 'time driven wheel 4i (which makes one 'revoltiorre'very twelve hours) is-assembled over ashoulderedfstepf-B' onfthe hour handfsleevev 2B,

4vthis tirnefdriv'en wheel being-staked or'otherw'ise :secured to the sleeve 26forcontinuously driving the hour hand through the medium of- 'the sleeve Formed 'on said sleeve, 'backof the 'time driven wheel` 4I, isI another shouldered'step 41 onwhich is`mounted a relatively large -spur wheel or' gear '48 whichrnormally stands 'sta- -tionarywhile the time drivenwheel'M proceeds with its continuous rotation. Thisfspur wheel A8 is,however, 'capable .of being 'rotated forwardly-'and loackwardly'relatively to the time driven wheel through a limited arc of movement. Such limited arc'of movement of spur wheel 48 vis dened by a rectangula'rly shaped'stop'p'in'fd whichis riveted and-brazed to the underside of the spur wheel to'project downwardly therefrom into' an arcuate slot Swhichf is punched-out'in the frame plate'SZY'iFigure 7). `vThe rectangular stoppin 49 normallytends to swingfupw'ardly into a position of abutmentagainst the-upper end -Ecf the arcuate'slot'. 'The lspur"vfh'eeland stop pin' are normally'biasediin this 'direction by a 'torsion spring- Si) (Figure 2) whichis coiled Aaround the inner portionof the-sleeve 26 and has one Tend 'bearing 'against the lower side 'of fthe stop pin 49vand the oth'erend hooked-against the lower-'end of the slot 50. l'The spur wheel 4B lfunctions as a normally'stationary sun gear around which the aforeznen'tionedv planetarypinion of the accelerated? motion transmitting mechanism revolves. At therme-selected switch tripping times when motion! isf transmitted through'this Aaccelerated motion transmitting mechanism, lan oscillatory movement is vimparted 'to-fthe -spur rwheel 48 for causing' it to revolve lin'aclockw'ise direction (Figure 5) Iin'oppositionto thep'ressure of the s'pringf, 'thereby moving the square shaped stop pin'49 through a short distance'in a clockwise direction toeffect a'switch tripping operation, as will be later described.

Thelnotion transmitting mechanism'is adapted 'to be actuated by a.' pivotally swinging actuating of'f'the manuallyf-settable tripping pins lwill' be 50 described before` describing the plaiietaryipinion motion transmitting mechanism. The-tripping 'pinsd' andY 53 can be set in different-,angular .positions around the centerof the rotative `assem- -lo`ly"f2"|, 254|. vThe tripping'pin 52 isa ffstartc'ook1ngllpin and can be' manually set 'to'lstart lthe Vcooking operation at any 'pre-'selected' time. :On the 'other hand; the'other tripping pin53`is 'ast`oplcooking pin and can be manually setto stop the" cooking operation at any pre-selected time.' It followeirom this' that theVv angular distancebetween these two pins' 52 and153'canvbe 'manuallyset to establish a' certain'numberl'of cook-ing hours therebetween. fThese "twotripping pinsare carried by two concentric indicator discs d'and which are mountedfor free' rotacan be adjusted as desired, and the angular positions of the tripping pins around the clock dial can be shifted to occupy positions at any desired points around the dial. The two indicator discs have gear teeth around their peripheries, and the front disc 55 is adapted to be rotated by manual rotation of a right hand adjusting knob 58, and the rear indicator disc 54 is adapted to be adjusted by rotation of a left hand adjusting knob 59. These two adjusting knobs are mounted on adjusting shafts 6| and B2, respectively, which carry spur pinions 63 and 64, the pinion 63 meshing with the front indicator disc 55 and the pinion 64 meshing with the rear indicator disc 54. The pinions 63 and 541 are preferably of the shrouded type comprising front and rear flanges with the spur teeth disposed therebetween, these shrouding flanges maintaining each pinion exactly in the plane of its respective indicator disc, or possibly causing the indicator disc to flex slightly in its rotative movement into mesh with its respective pinion, these indicator discs being relatively thin and hence being capable of flexing freely. A friction drag is imposed upon each of the pinions 63 and 64 by any suitable arrangement of friction drag apparatus, such as friction washers forced together by compression springs or the like. A suitable construction of friction drag apparatus is disclosed in our aforementioned copending application, to which attention is directed for the details thereof. This friction drag imposed upon the pinions 53 and @il must Vbe sucient to hold the tripping pins 52 and 53 in each of their respective set positions, so as to prevent either of these pins being picked up and dragged along by the rotating actuating lever which rotates continuously with the time driven wheel 4|. The adjusting shafts 6i and 52 have bearing support in the main frame plate 32 and also have bearing support in aligned holes in the housings |5 and I6. Referring to Figure 2, the two indicator discs or dials 54 and 55 are loosely assembled over the hour hand sleeve 26, and are maintained in spaced relation on this sleeve by an intervening spacing washer 'l The outer indicator disc abuts a washer l2 under the hub of the hour hand 2l and the rear indicator disc 54 is held against shifting inwardly along the sleeve 2 5 by a plurality of angularly spaced supporting pins which project forwardly from the supporting plate and abut the under side of the disc.

Referring now to the cooking indici-a which is marked on the indicator dials 54 and 55, it Will be seen from Figure 3 that the front dial 55 carries a marking arrow or pointer which is designated Stop Cooking. Rotation of the right hand manually actuated knob 58 rotates this front dial 55 to place the Stop Cooking pointer 'i5 in registration with any desired time numeral 23 on the clock dial. For example, Figure 1 shows this front indicator dial las having been adjusted through the manual knob 58 so as to place the Stop Cooking pointer l5 in registration with the 6:00 oclock marking of the clock dial. It will be understood that this setting which has thus been given to the dial 55 has placed the second tripping pin 53 at :a predetermined angular position (Figure 3) which will cause the electric-al switch to be opened at 6:00 oclock. This front dial 55 is also provided with an arcuate slot or sight Window which is preferably located just inside of the Stop Cooking marker l5. This slot is provided along its inner margin :with a central marking pointer 78, and the slot and pointer have associated therewith the indicia Cooking Hours. The Cooking Hours pointer 'IB is 'adapted to register with a series of dial numerals 'i9 and associated dial markings which are printed on the rear dial 54 so as to appear in the sight Window 'Il'. Rotation of the left hand manual knob 59 rotates the back dial plate 54 for presenting any one of the Cooking Hours numerals '|9 in registration with the marking pointer '|8 for setting up a cooking interval of predetermined duration on the automatic timer. It will be noted that :any such setting given to the rear dial disc 54 places the rst tripping pin 52 at a predetermined angular point around the clock dial, whereby to cause tripping of the electric switch 'at such point vas to insure that there will be a cooking interval of the desired duration.

Referring now to the motion transmitting release mechanism which responds to the first and second tripping pins 52 fand 53 for swinging the square stop pin 49 to its successive releasing positions, the actu-ating lever 5| of this mechanism is or bell-crank or U-shaped outline and is pivotally supported upon the front side of the time driven wheel 5| on a pivot stud 8|. The stud 8| is riveted to the wheel 4| and extends up through -a relatively long slot 82 in the lever 5| and is provided With a head which overlies the margins of the slot 82. A tension spring 84 has one end connected to the lever at 85 and has its other end connected to the gear Wheel at 86, this tension spring being recessed into a long slot 8`| which is punched out in the gear Wheel 4|. The action of this tension spring is to hold the lever in the position shown in Figure 4 With the inner end of the slot 82 pressed up yagainst the pivot stud 8| and with the nose portion 88 of the lever in position to engage the first and second tripping pins 52 and 53 as the lever is slowly carried by the time driven wheel 4| into successive engagement with the tripping pins.

The other arm of the lever 5| is formed with a relatively wide notch 9| therein, one edge 92 of which is adapted to function as a guide edge in collaboration with a guide stud 93. This guide stud has its inner end riveted or staked to the gear wheel 4| and extends up into the notch 9| and has a large head portion -94 Which overlies the edges of the notch 9|. The straight guide edge 92 of the notch is adapted to have sliding guided engagement in contact with the shank portion of the guide stud 93. When the nose 83 of the actuating lever 5| encounters one of the settable tripping pins 52 or 53 in the normal forward rotation of the time driven wheel and actuating lever the lever is caused to rock around the pivot stud 8| in a counterclockwise direction, :as shown in Figure 5. In this normal counterclockwise pivoting of ythe lever 5| the guide surface 92 of the notch 9| separates from the guide stud 93, the notch '9| being -suinciently wide to accommodate the necessary range of pivotal movement of .the lever. The purpose of the slot 82 and of the guide surface 92 is to permit of a retractive sliding movement of the lever 5I in the event that the tripping end 88 of the lever and one of the tripping pins 52 or 53 should come together in a reverse direction of rotation. This can arise during the setting operation if one of the tripping pins 52 or 53 is being rotated in a forward clockwise direction past the tripping end 88 of the lever; or i-t may arise in setting the clock hands of the clock if the clock hands should be rotated backwardly and carry the tripping end -88 of the lever .against one of the tripping pins 52 or 53. In

pinion.

Referring now to the manner in which 'thenormal counterclockwise pivotingA ofl the lever 5 I, imparts movement through* the planetary pinion tothe stop block 49, it will be seen thattheother extremity of the lever is :formed with `an arm` 96.: which carries a thin-leaf spring 91 that is adapted.

tolact as a ratchetpawl or nose for coaction with ratchet-teeth around the peripheryof a ratchet wheel 98. The anchored end of the leaf spring is .welded Orl-riveted to theinner side of a rearwardly proj ectingtflangev .99 extending. from. the arm-96; exedfslightly in .an outwarddirection with its inner side abutting against a stop shoulder.|| formed on the lever |.A This stopshoulder predeterminesthe normalposition of the ratcheting end Vof the spring, lbut as the springenters. the.

ratchet teeth onthewheel 98 4and starts to` follow the rotating pathof the teeth the spring can ex away lfrom the stop shoulder 0 I. The ratcheting spr-ing is-setA ina longnrectangular -recessv |02 punched out of the gear. wheel` 4I .so thatthis.

spring can act on` the teeth of the ratchet wheel` 98-even though this wheel is mounted onrthe op-A positeside-ofthe spur wheel 4I. As lbest-shown in- Figure-6,the ratchet wheel. 98 `is secured kdi-` rectly to the aforementioned planetary pinion |04 which `meshes ,continuously with thecentral sun gear 48 Vwhich-carries the stop block49.`l This ,concentric assembly of-ratchet wheel- 98= and planetarypinionwl 04v is pivotally mounted =on-a -pivot stud-|05 :secured tov'the'timedriven wheel 4|. In

order'to utilize as-much of the effective working. stroke .of the'ratchetspring 91 as-possible the ratchetwheelV 98` :is preferablyiormed with-very neiratchet teeth;- approximately-in the order of Y 100 :teeth orso forfa wheel diameter- -of approxi- Y During .the normalnon-tripping -part AofA vthe Y cycle, the time dr-ivenWheelr 4 slowly rotatesy at themateof one revoluti-ton-in twelve hours-- and carriesithe tripping lever 5 .andaplanetarypiniont I04nwithit. Since the sun wheel -4Bfis` normally-I heldc in. a lstationarypositionbyits ltorsion springVU 601the planetaryf-pinion-|04'idly= revolves. aroundthe tsun gear, with a l concurrent `planetary rotation. occurring-insa clockwise direction around the planetary.` axis-|05f Atthis time theratchet spring-91..-standslclear of the tee-tir onthe ratchet l wheel 98a: Asy soon as the nose\-88ofthe -levler5 encounters the. manually set-'tripping -pin -52-j orV 53) .lathe .levertstarts to-*oscillate4 in a countcrclock-- wise directiongaroundthe axis of-.thepivot stud g 8 t;l Thisl immediately swings -the ratchet 'spring- 91;.-outwardl-y intothe teeth l of the -ratchet wheel 98soLthatgfurtherfdling. rotation-V of` the 'planetary pinion l 041-;4 and,-ra tchet. wheel 98 in .a clockwise!l direction.-around.p planetary-axis.. 4| 05;::is immedi.- 1 lately; stopped'. The,fccntinuedfx:@unterenekwise swingingmovement.- of@ the f-lever;A -5 L with;..pro.4 gnessive ki.novemeritof.;the .nose zsalongithe trip.-` Ding l91.11..52 .causes continued outward motionfof. the ratchet ...springt 97.'i and.; Continued @counterr Clockwiserotationfff the-,.-f11i'.tthat.whee1V 913i and planetarapnon4.04: .The blocking ofthe clock-.-

The. ratcheting end .of the spring 91 is f clockwise rotation to the ratchet wheel and planetary pinion around theplanetary axis |05 accel.

erates this clockwise rotation of the sun gearv48. Thisaccelerated rotation transmitted to the sun gear through the planetray pinion imparts a more rapid tripping movement to the stop block 49;

Such accelerated tripping movement is advantageous in obtaining greater accuracy inthe tripping operation, as previously described. The degree of clockwise tripping rotation imparted to the sun gear 48 and stop block 49 through the planetary pinion |04 depends upon the angular span of the manually settable tripping pins 52 and 53. The start-cooking trippingpin 52 is relatively narrow or of short angular span and hence this pin only causes the stop block 49 to be actuated through a distance sucient to release the first stop shoulder of the switch controlling stop plate, to be later described. On the other hand, the stop-cooking tripping pin 53 is relatively wide or. of long angular span, and hence this pin is operative to swing the stop block 49 through a distance suflicient to release both of the stop shoulders on the switch actuating stop plate, as We shall now describe.V

The square stop block 49 is adapted to cooperatey with a multiple stop plate |09 which is mounted for rotative movement on a switch actuating shaft This multiple stop plate is formed with an arcuate swinging edge on which are formedtwo angularly spacedstop shoulders l|3 and ||4.r

The stop plate |09 has swinging movement across the front surface of the frame plate 32 so that the stop shoulders ||3 and ||4 move in arcuate paths where they can be intercepted by the square stop stud 49,.as clearly shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6. The stop plate |09 is spring impelled in a clockwise direction by a biasing spring to be laterdescribed. When the stop shoulder ||3 is bearing against the stop block 49, as shown in Figure 4, the electric switch which responds to shaft is in its open position, awaiting downward tripping movement of the stop block 49 away from the shoulder ||3. When this tripping operationl occurs, the stop plate |09 swings in a clockwisedirection to bring the second stop shoulder 4 upv against the stop block 49. In this position of the stop plate |09 the electric switch is in its startcooking closed position. This position 0f-4 the parts is illustrated approximately in Figure 5,

except that Figure illustrates that point in thev cyclewhere the stop block 49 has moved just tothe point where it is clearing the stop shoulderv H4 for permitting the stop plate |09 to swing through its next step of movement. In swinging through this nal step of clockwise movement f after the stop block 49 has freed the stop shoulder ||4 the electric switch is caused to move to its stop-cooking open circuitposition, such corresponding to a completionof the cooking operation i and a completion of the automatic operatingcycle i of the timer.

The switch actuating shaft |I| projectsfor-i wardly through enlarged openings in -the mainV housing |5 and supplemental housing I6, these openings being constructed to permit a small degree of lateral tipping or cooking motionof the shaft; as .will .bepresentlydescribed. Thefrontend of the shaft carries a suitable knob-or .f lever. ||5 through .which thehousewifecan im partturning motion to the shaft and also the latter tilting motion. Referring to Figure '7, the lower en-d of the shaft I has a reduced portion |I6 which is seated in a bearing ferrule set into the insulating base plate ||8 of the electric switch. The shaft can rotate and tilt slightly in this bearing ferrule The switch actuating shaft passes through a relatively large opening |2| in the frame vplate 32. Secured tothe shaft below the plate 32 is a cam plate |22 which is adapted to actuate the electric switch. Bent forwardly from this cam plate |22 is an arm |23 which projects forwardly through the opening |2| and also extends forwardly through a slotted opening |24 formed in the swinging stop plate |09 (Figure 6). The stop plate |99 has a circular opening |25 (Figure 4) which has a free rotative t on the switch actuating shaft the torque transmitting connection between the stop plate andshaft being established through the cam plate |22, arm |23 and the tip of said arm bearing against the side edges of the slotted opening |24.

Assembled down over the swinging stop plate |99 is a guide bracket |28 which holds the stop plate |09 in its proper position against the frame plate 32 during the rotating and tipping movements of the switch shaft As shown in Figure 6, the guide bracket |28 is formed with depressed end portions |29 and |3| which are secured to the front side of the frame plate 32 by screws |32 threading into tapped holes in the frame plate. Projecting forwardly and laterally from the edge of the depressed portion |29 is an apertured lug |33 which serves to secure or support the main casing in proper position. Another spacing lug |34 projects forwardly from the other depressed portion |3| for a similar purpose, and a third lug |35 projects forwardly from the other edge of the bracket to serve as a support bearing against the under side of dial disk 54. Intermediate the depressed portions |29 and |3| the bracket |28 is formed with a raised portion |36 which defines a guide space |37k in which moves the stop plate |99 (Figure 7). Punched out of the raised portion |35 is an upwardly projecting tongue |38 which serves as a stationary stop against which one end of the spring |39 bears. This spring |39 is a dual purpose spring serving the two-fold function of applying torsion to the arm |23 in a clockwise direction and also applying lateral deiiection pressure against the switch actuating shaft tending to press this shaft diagonally inwardly and downwardly, as viewed in Figure 6. The shaft extends through a hole |4| provided in the raised portion |36 of guide bracket |28, which hole is elongated in slot-like formation along the diagonal line -r of Figure 6. The elongated form of this hole |4| permits the shaft to be tilted or cocked sidewise in a direction along this line and in said tilting movement the first stop shoulder ||3 of stop plate |09 is moved to a point where it can clear stop block 49. Normally, the shaft is maintained in a perpendicular position at the inner end of slot |4| by the deiiecting action of the spring |39. As shown in Figure 7, the spring comprises a helical coil |39a which wraps around the shaft The outer end of the coil extends laterally at |3911 to seat in a notch in swinging arm |23. The inner end of the helical coil eX- tends laterally and forwardly to form a U-shaped portion |390 which abuts against the adjacent edge of the lug |38. The other end of this U- shaped portion is then given one or more 12 wrapped turns around the shaft By 'hav'- ing points of reaction against the arm |23 and` lug |38, the spring can exert a constant deflection pressure against the shaft tending to hold it at the inner end of the slot-like openingv |4|. Concurrently therewith, the torsion stored in the helical coil of the spring tends constantly to swing the arm |23 in a clockwise direction,V

which torsion is transmitted through the side margins of slot |24 to the stop plate |99 and is also transmitted through cam plate |22 to the switch actuating shaft The lower edge of the stop plate |99 is formed with a raised hump rearward surfaces sloping down each way from the ridge of the hump. Adapted for cooperation v with this raised hump is a spring detent linger |44 adapted to snap down over the hump. This finger is formed integral with an apertured base or clip |49` through which passes the right hand adjusting shaft 6| which adjusts the stop cooking dial 55. mounted on this shaft to act on the friction drag surfaces associated with the shaft is also utilized to exert rearward pressure against the base clip |46. The construction and arrangement is such that the detent finger |44 has a spring pressed up and down rocking action as it snaps up and down over the hump |45. A similar or equivalent arrangement of spring detentposition of the timer, representing that condition Where the timer is not operating and the electrical switch thereof is closed and is not subject to automatic control. In this closed position of the switch, the circuit is completed through the automatic timer, so that the control of the range or oven is now made responsive toa manual switch which the housewife can turn on and olf as desired. This manual control switch is;.a separate switch, independent of the timer, and is typically shown in the aforementioned prior Patents 2,302,625 and 2,301,942. Position B (the full line position in Figure 1) is the set position where the electrical switch of the timer is now under the automatic control of the timer. The housewife turns the control knob ||5 to thisrset position B when she desires to put the timer into operation. In this position of the knob ||5 the.

electrical switch is open. Position C is the startcooking position to which the switch controlling shaft is tripped when the stop block 49 releases the stop shoulder 3 on the stop plate. In this position the stop shoulder ||4 is in engagement with the stop block 49, and the switch is closed. Position D is the final or stop-cooking.

position which represents the completion ofthe timer cycle. In this position, the stop shoulder* 4 has been tripped past the stop block 49 and the switch is in the open position. Figure 6 illus-1' trates the control knob in set positionB.

When the knob is in this position it canV be' readily pushed diagonally upwardly andout` wardly along the line :v -:c to start the Vcookingi |45 having forward and A compression spring 6l' which is:

When the stop plate |99 is swung down.`

OPlatiOll inlinediately,v It will beseen from Fig..

ure. .6 thatwhen-theknob `is given this lateral tilting motionl the stop plate |09 is caused to slide position yindicated indotted lines. This shifting movements limited by the lengthy of thevsiot |4|, which is so proportioned that theemovementwill be sufficient to `trip the shoulder H3 from thestopblock 49, thereby permitting the knobv H5 to ,swing into position Cv(thefstartcooking position),- butthe degree of suchshifting movementfis .not sufficient -tolclear the shoulder H4 fr orn-r the stop block. Thus, when the housewife performs the lateral tilting control operation uponthe-knob H5, the stop plate swings sufficientlywfargto close the electric switch and start the cooking operation immediately, but not suiiiciently far to open the switch, whereby the opening operationstill remainsvsubject to the automatic-, control of lthe timer.

Referring nowto the correlation which is establishedbetween the relatively .wide stop-cooking tripping pin 53 and the tripping release of the secondstop shoulder H4 on stop plate |09, it will beA seen that Athe greater angular span of thestopcooking pin 53 over the angular span of the startcookingz pin 52 will result in the gear 48 and stopt-block 49 being rotated through a longer interval of time in response to pin 53 than in response .to pin52. This means that the stop block Willibe moved afurther distancein its clockwise releasing motion by the pin 53 than it will be by the pin`52. The parts are so proportioned that the `reelasingfmovement. of block 49 effected by the.start-cookingpin 52:will just be sufcient to .enable the block to clear the stop shoulder |3, but not enough to clear the stop shoulder H4. On the other hand, the stop-cooking pin 53 will causethe block 49 to move suiciently far to clear both stop shoulders H3 and |4 on the stop plate |09, see Figure.- Accordingly, if the housewifehas carelessly attempted to set the timer for alonger cooking interval than time permits, and T,has therefore overtraveled or gone past the start-cooking pin 52, the action of `the stopcooking pin 53 will beto swing the stop block 49nclear of both stop Ashoulders H3 and ||4, soV

that.v the 4stop plate |09 will be tripped'entirely through to,L its final switch open position D. Hence, there will beno burning of the meal cr indenite heating of the range heating element.

The electric switch which is actuated by the shaft |H is indicated at |50 in its entirety. This switch can be of the same identical construction disclosed xin ourcopending application Serial No. 643,599, or it can be of the construction diagrammatically illustrated in- Figure 9 herein, or it can be..of any other desired construction. Such a switch is preferably actuated by camhumps and valleys formed on the cam plate |22, as shown in Figure 8. This cam is shown as having four switchzactuating positions-formed inits peripheryf viz;a cam valley |54 for closing the switch, acamvhumpv|55 for opening the switch, a cam valley |56 for closing the switch, and a cam hump |5, 1.for opening the switch. Riding on these cam formations is a cam following pin |59 which projects upwardly from theend of a-switch operating plate |6|. This switch operating plate is composed ofinsulation. The switch actuating shaftl passes down through a longitudinal slot |6,2lin the plate |6| and establishes a point of gnidance fonguiding n the to and fro motion of theplate |||.y The plate IGIhasJT-.shaped cross',

armsj |63 projecting outwardly tothe .sides and);

overlying the movable switchA blades.v

switch blades, designated |64,.are cf angularl formation carryingk movable contacts 65. on vthe Y, innerl sides of theiroutwardly rdiverging, ends.4v

These movablel contacts |65 are adapted to errgage with stationary contacts |66 carried by sta-1,

tionary terminals |61 secured to the insulating base plate of the switch, The v,switch blades ,Varel adapted toV have `rocking movement about/the, outer corners ISSUof terminaljblocks- |||3.` The inner corner |1| at the anglevbend of each blade., has vrocking movement on suclnshoulderv edge, |68' of its companion terminal block |08.; Current isvconducted to the rmovable switchfblade through this terminal block |68 and through vtlfifisf rocking edge contact established at |68 -|,1 The inwardly bent arms of the blades bear against When vthe switch plate |6|l is shifted to thegright,A motion e is transmitted throughA the projections |12 to theinwardlyextendingarmsl |54?) ofthe; switchblades forrocking the blades toAA open ,cir-

- l cuit positions,

Tongues |14 punched inwardlyfrom the outer..

arms ||i4al of thel switch blades serve as attach.Y menthooksto whichV thelouter ends of tensionv springs |15 are connected.v These tongues alsov ways. |13 are formed in the inner` sides oriedges of the. terminal yblocks |685, for receiving guidewings |19;projecting fronrthel platev I'El. This arrangement establishes lateral guidance forthc` left hand end of the plate I6 The inner ends of the tension springs |15 are hooked to hook ends on an insulating yoke lill-'which has rockable.

bearing contact against the bushing |83 mountedA inthe insulating base plate ofthe switch. The switch actuating shaft I extends down through this bushing 183, This electrical` switch hasibeen made the subject matter of our copending application Serial No. 86,324, iiled` April 8, 1949, .and attention isdirected thereto for any further. de'- tails as tothe construction and operation l of said switch.

Whilel we have illustrated and described what we regard to bethe preferred kembodiment of .our invention, nevertheless it will tbeunderstood that such is merely exemplary and that numerous modiicationsandrrearrangements may be made.

therein without departing from the essenceof .the invention.

We claim:

l. In switch apparatus, the combination` of ay means at different times, and switch means re-A sponsive to intermittent movement of said toothed n wheel.Y

2. In switchapparatus, the combination of-*a continuously rotating wheel, means for driving said wheel at a timed rate, a normally stationary wheel disposed substantially concentrically of said continuously rotating wheel, motion transmitting means comprisinga planetary pinioni carried by said continuously rotating wheel adapted to impart movement to said normally stationary wheel, settable means for causing actuation of said motion transmitting means at a predetermined time, and switch means responsive to movement of said normally stationary wheel.

3. In switch apparatus, the combination of a time driven wheel, a toothed wheel associated therewith, motion transmitting means comprising a planetary pinion carried by said time driven wheel and ratchet means for actuating said planctary pinion, said pinion being operative to impart movement to said toothed wheel when actuated by said ratchet means, tripping means disposable at diierent points around said time driven wheel for causing actuation of said ratchet means, and switch means responsive to intermittent movement of said toothed wheel.

4. In switch apparatus, the combination of a continuously rotating wheel, means for driving said Wheel at a timed rate, a normally stationary Wheel disposed substantially concentrically of said continuously rotating wheel, motion transmitting means comprising a planetary pinion carried by said continuously rotating wheel and ratchet means for actuating said planetary pinion, said pinion being operative to impart intermittent movement to said normally stationary wheel when actuated by said ratchet means, settable means for causing actuation of said ratchet means at a predetermined time and switch means responsive to movement of said normally stationary Wheel.

5. In switch apparatus, the combination of a time driven wheel, a sun gear disposed substantially concentrically of said time driven wheel, a planetary pinion carried by said time driven wheel normally having idling planetary rotation around said sun gear, ratchet means carried by said time driven wheel adapted to impart rotary movement to said planetary pinion in such direction as to transmit an accelerated rotary movement to said sun gear, manually settable means for causing actuation of said ratchet means at a predetermined time, and switch means responsive to movement of said sun gear.

6. In switch apparatus, the combination of a time driven wheel, a toothed wheel associated therewith, motion transmitting means comprising a planetary pinion carried by said time driven wheel adapted to impart intermittent movement to said toothed wheel, a stop pin actuated by said toothed wheel, a movable stop member having successive stop shoulders thereon adapted to be successively blocked and cleared by said stop pin, an electric switch responsive to said movable stop member, and a plurality of settable tripping pins controlling said motion transmitting mechanism, one of said pins being constructed or arranged to cause said stop member to clear all stop shoulders on said movable stop member.

7. In switch apparatus, the combination of a time driven wheel, a toothed wheel disposed substantially concentrically of said time driven wheel, motion transmitting means comprising a planetary pinion carried by said time driven wheel adapted to impart intermittent movement to said toothed wheel, a stop block actuated by said toothed wheel, a swinging stop plate having successive stop shoulders thereon adapted to be successively blocked and cleared by said stop block, an electric switch responsive to said swinging stop plate, and a plurality of settable tripping pins controlling said motion transmitting mechanism, one of said tripping pins having a relatively long angular span whereby to causesaid lstop block to clear all stop shoulders on said swinging stop` plate.

S. In switch apparatus, the combination of a time driven wheel and atoothed wheel `concentrically disposed, a planetary Vpinion carried byv said time driven wheel adapted to have planetary meshing movement around said toothed wheel,

ratchetl means for actuating said planetary pinion to impart movement to said toothed wheel, a stop block actuated by' said toothed Wheel, -a pivotally swinging stop plate having rst and second stop shoulders thereon adapted to be successively blocked and cleared by said stop block,

an electric switch responsive to said swinging stop plate, andkiirst and second manually set-V table tripping pins controlling said ratchet mechanism, said rst tripping pin being adapted to cause said stop bloclr to clear said iirst stop shoulder and said second tripping pin' vbeing adapted to cause said stop block to clear said second stop shoulder, said second tripping pin' being or wider angular span than said first tripping pin so as to be operative to causesaid stop block to clear both stop shoulders.

9. In switch apparatus, the combination of a time driven member, a normally stationary member associated therewith, motion transmitting mechanism for transmitting movement' to said normally stationary member, stop'means actuated by said normally stationary member, a witch actuating shaft, stop means associated therewith adapted to be released by sai'd nrst recited stop means, a switch responsive to said switch actuating shaft, and means mounting said shaft for rotative movement in one plane and for a secondary movement at an angle'to said plane, said second stop means being operatively connected with said sha-it whereby said secondary movement of said shaft actuates said second stop means to perform a control function on said switch.

l0. In switch apparatus, the combination of a time driven wheel, a normally stationary Wheel disposed concentricaily of said time driven wheel,

motion transmitting mechanism carried by said time driven wheel for transmitting intermittent movement to said normally stationary wheel, settable means disposable at diierent points around said time driven wheel for causing actuation of said motion transmitting mechanism atdiferent times, stop means actuated by said normally stationary wheel, a switch actuating shaft, stop.

wheel, means coacting with said motion transmitting means for causing the latter to operate at a predetermined time, a switch actuating shaft having rotary movement responsiveto movement of said toothed wheel, a switch responsive to said shaft, means mounting said shaft for rotary movement and Yfor sidewise tilting movement,

.and means responsive to said sidewise tilting"Y 17` movement for causing said/switch to move to closed position..

l2. In switch apparatus, the combination of a time driven wheel and a normally stationary wheel, motion transmittingvmechanism for imparting movement from said time driven wheel to said normally stationary wheel, means coacting with said motion transmitting mechanism for causing the latter to operate at a predetermined time, a rotatable switch actuating shaft, spring means normally tending to impell said shaft in one direction of rotation, stop means responsive to said toothed wheel for controlling such spring impelled rotation, means mounting` said shaft for a separate sidewise tilting movement, and means responsive to said sidewise tilting movement whereby said stop means can be released by such sidewise tilting movement to cause the closing of said switch.

13. In a time switch, the combination of contact apparatus, a control member governing said contact apparatus, said control member being mounted for rotational and lateral movement, means tending to rotate said control member in one direction for performing control functions on said Contact apparatus, time controlled stop means governing the rotation ci said control member in said latter direction, and means for causing said control member to perform a control funotion on said contact apparatus when said control member is moved laterally.

14. In a time switch, the combination of contact apparatus, a control member governing said contact apparatus, said control member being adapted to be moved from an end position to a starting position, means normally tending to cause a unidirectional return motion of said control member from said starting position back to said end position, a movable stop biased to a stopping position at a point in the path of such return movement, time responsive driving means for actuating said stop to release said control member, said driving means including a normally idling planetary gear, motion transmitting means for causing counter-rotation of said planetary gear to effect motion multiplication in the actuation of said stop, and settable means for causing actuation oi said motion transmitting means at a predetermined time.

15. In switch apparatus of the class described, the combination of a switch, a control element adapted to control said switch, time driven means, manually adjustable switch closing means cooperating with said control element and with said time driven means and adapted to be set manually vfor predetermining the time of closing of said switch, and manually adjustable switch opening means cooperating with said time driven means and adapted to be set manually for predetermining the time of opening of said switch, said switch opening means being constructed to have a longer interval of cooperative engagement with said time driven means than said switch closing means for insuring that said control element will be actuated to open said switch in the event that the device is set for a switch closed interval of longer duration than the available time permits.

1G. In switch apparatus of the class described, the combination of a switch, a control element adapted to control said switch, time driven means, manually adjustable switch closing means cooperating with said control element and with said time driven means and adapted to be set manually for predetermining the time of closing of said switch, manually adjustable switch opening means Ycooperating with saidicontrol element and with said'tirne driven means and adapted to be set, manually for predetermining the time of' meansresponsive to lateral. movementof said' control shaft for'causing said control element.

to move to its .switchV closing position.

17. Ina time'switch, the combination of a continuously driven time wheel, a normally stationary driven wheel disposed substantially concentrically of said time wheel, motion transmitting means carried by said time wheel operative to transmit brief rotary motion from said time wheel to said driven wheel, switch means, means responsive to said brief rotary motion of said driven Wheel for causing said switch means to move between open and closed positions, manually adjustable switch closing means operative to cause actuation of 'said motion transmitting means at a desired time for transmitting lbrief rotary motion to said driven wheel for closing said switch and then interrupting said rotary motion of said driven wheel while said switch means remains closed, and manually adjustable switch opening means operative to cause actuation of said same motion transmitting means at a desired time for transmitting brief rotary motion to said same driven wheel for opening said switch and then interrupting said rotary motion of said driven wheel while said switch remains open, said manually adjustable switch opening means comprising means operative to transmit a greater degree of rotary motion to said driven wheel than ysaid manually adjustable switch closing means, whereby said switch means will not be moved to closed position and allowed to remain there if the operator should erroneously set the time switch for a switch closed interval of longer duration than the available time permits.

18. In switch apparatus of the class described, the combination of a switch, control means adapted to control said switch, a continuously rotating time driven wheel, a normally stationary driven wheel, motion transmitting means for transmitting motion from said time wheel to said driven wheel, means responsive to said driven wheel for controlling said control means, adjustable switch closing means cooperating with said motion transmitting means and adapted to be set manually for predetermining the time of closing of said switch, and adjustable switch opening means cooperating with said motion transmitting means and adapted to be set manually for predetermining the time of opening of said switch, said switch opening means comprising means for insuring that said control means will be actuated to open said switch in the event that the switch apparatus is set for a switch closed interval of longer duration than the available time permits.

19. In an electric timer of the class described, the combination of a switch, a control element adapted to control said switch, a continuously driven time wheel, a normally stationary driven wheel, motion transmitting means for transmitting motion from said time wheel to said driven wheel, means responsive to said driven wheel for controlling said control element, manually adjustable switch closing means operative to cause actuation of said motion transmitting means for closing said switch, manually adjustable switch opening means operative to cause actuation of said motion transmitting means for opening said The following references are of record in thev 2O REFERENCES CITED file of this patent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date LuX Oct. 8, 1940 Gallagher s Nov- 17, 1942 

